[Build Log] "Illuminator" Switch 810 HTPC + First Water Cooling.

Cheezit73 · Mar 16, 2012

Welcome to my NZXT Switch 810 build log!

As you can tell by post count I am very new here on OCN so I figure I will just jump right in with a build log and not be shy.

I am hoping to use this to not only share my project but also get advice along the way.

The primary purpose of this computer is a HTPC, and secondary a photo / video editing station.

I have always been impressed with water cooling and have been wanting to take a crack at it as well as overclocking.

Since the computer is on 24/7 I also want to venture into folding.

I will be transferring my sig rig into this case and adding the water cooling.

I have been doing a lot of research the last couple of weeks and finally pieced together my loop.

================================================================================
So here is what I have ordered so far:

Black NZXT Switch 810 from Amazon, got it for $136.00

Arrived!

NZXT Sentry Mix Fan controller. Arrived!

NZXT Sleeved LED case light White. Arrived!

Here is my water cooling purchase......

Products ordered Arrived!

Swiftech MCP35X 12V DC Pump (Arrived damaged Swifttech cross shipping new one!)

XSPC RayStorm CPU/APU WaterBlock - Intel

XSPC G1/4" to 7/16" ID, 5/8" OD Compression Fitting - Black Nickel

Antimicrobial Silver Strip Size: 8" Strip

XSPC EX360 Triple Fan Radiator

EK-Multioption RES X2 - 250 Advanced

Swiftech 1/4" BSPP to 1/2" barb fill-port fittings - High polish chrome plated brass

YATE LOON 120mm Case Fan - D12SH-12 - DIRECT FROM YL

PrimoFlex Pro LRT Black Tubing - 7/16in. ID X 5/8in. OD

Arctic Cooling MX4 Thermal Compound

I am still formulating my color scheme, I was going to go with Tron but am now leaning towards a more

Went with color scheme of:

Black & Gold mechanical / Steampunk theme to match my Theatre room.

I will update with Pictures as soon as my parts start arriving on monday!!

Cheezit73 · Mar 16, 2012

Finished Pictures!

Cheezit73 · Mar 16, 2012

03/19/2012

Case Arrived! Unfortunately it seems to have some damage done during manufacturing / packing that can hopefully be resolved quickly!

Some of the damage

Cheezit73 · Mar 16, 2012

03/21/2012

Water Cooling & additional parts arrived!!

Whats with this "X" on the number 5 slider? It shows up more with the flash but... (Edit NZXT awesomeness sending replacement!)

Not super happy with the condition of my Mc35X look at the gouge on the top!!
Is the bottom of the pump ok that the silver piece is offset slightly in the center?
(Edit: Swiftech sending replacement!)

selluminis · Mar 16, 2012

Looks cool. Can't wait to see this. What about the rest of you hardware? Will it be what is listing in you sig?

Subbed....

Antykain · Mar 16, 2012

Looking forward to seeing what you do with it..

saucon · Mar 16, 2012

I'm very interested in this log, mostly because i'm organizing my own build with the same case and pump....

but i'm mainly posting to ask, where did you buy these components?! a MCP35x for $79.95?! Primoflex PRO LRT for 1.60 a foot? These prices are 60-85% cheaper than the components i'm a few weeks away from buying (waiting for ivy/680gtx), and i really hope i can purchase from the same outlet!

Also, i was about to buy some YL's as well, but being a sleeve bearing i've heard horizontal positions will wear out the bearing in 2-6mo and increase mechanical noise, just a heads up if you didn't know that already!

Cheezit73 · Mar 16, 2012

Thanks for the interest guys!
Quote:

Originally Posted by selluminis

Looks cool. Can't wait to see this. What about the rest of you hardware? Will it be what is listing in you sig?
Subbed....

Yes I will be transferring the hardware in my sig into the Switch.
Quote:

Originally Posted by Antykain

Looking forward to seeing what you do with it..

Thanks, your setup looks sweet and really made my decision harder as all though I wanted a Cylinder res your bay res looks great on that front panel and made me think twice! Also how are you liking your fan controller as I did pick that up based on how it looked on your rig.
Quote:

Originally Posted by saucon

I'm very interested in this log, mostly because i'm organizing my own build with the same case and pump....
but i'm mainly posting to ask, where did you buy these components?! a MCP35x for $79.95?! Primoflex PRO LRT for 1.60 a foot? These prices are 60-85% cheaper than the components i'm a few weeks away from buying (waiting for ivy/680gtx), and i really hope i can purchase from the same outlet!
Also, i was about to buy some YL's as well, but being a sleeve bearing i've heard horizontal positions will wear out the bearing in 2-6mo and increase mechanical noise, just a heads up if you didn't know that already!

I made the entire order on jab-tech.com and used the coupon code "facebook" for 5% off. Seemed like the best prices to me. Thank you, yes I have read that about the Yates, but I was willing to take the risk for the price to get me started right now as I am still not 100% sure on which fans I will have in the end as I am still not 100% on my color scheme.

Captivate · Mar 16, 2012

I have YL low and medium fans. The slow ones (1000rpm) are really quiet. Can't say the same about medium ones though. Looking forward to this build. Switch 810 rocks, hopefully mine will be finished next weekend.

Cheezit73 · Mar 16, 2012

I was going to get the medium Yates but then I figured I might as well get the high speeds since I ordered the fan controller. Thought it might be fun to have the ability to really crank them up since I can always slow them down with the controller.

selluminis · Mar 16, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheezit73

I was going to get the medium Yates but then I figured I might as well get the high speeds since I ordered the fan controller. Thought it might be fun to have the ability to really crank them up since I can always slow them down with the controller.

Curious, what fan controller did you go with?

Captivate · Mar 16, 2012

Well, my medium speed YL on a fan controller have a whining noise at low/medium volt. At default voltage this whining noise is gone, but I think the fan is too loud then.

selluminis · Mar 16, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captivate

Well, my medium speed YL on a fan controller have a whining noise at low/medium volt. At default voltage this whining noise is gone, but I think the fan is too loud then.

I am really afraid of that happening with my cooler master sykle flow fans.

Captivate · Mar 17, 2012

Medium speed on low volt is still quiet, but it just has a slight whiny sound. I ordered 6 low speed yate loons to blow air through my top radiator, as those are actually pretty much silent.

Cheezit73 · Mar 17, 2012

I ordered the Nzxt sentry mix fan controller. Seemed like a good deal for 35.00 six 50 watt channels and I like the look of the sliders. I really wanted the lamp tron fc5v2 but could not find it for less than like 80.00 after shipping and I already went over budget on the water cooling gear! I will let you all know how it goes with the Yates and how they sound. Unfortunately it looks like my water cooling order won't arrive until next Wednesday but my case gets here on Monday so that's exciting!

douglatins · Mar 17, 2012

My yates high speed never whine at any speed but i have a rheostat controller

Cheezit73 · Mar 20, 2012

Received my case today, updated the second post with info and pictures!

Cheezit73 · Mar 22, 2012

Water cooling parts and other gear arrived today, updated pics in second post!!

Not super happy with the condition my pump arrived in, there is scratches and a chunk out of the top!! Do you guys think I should contact the retailer or Swiftech about this?

On a positive note NZXT has shipped me out replacement parts for those damaged on my switch!

Cant wait to get started on this, have to work the next couple days so it will be a little slow at first.

Cheezit73 · Mar 22, 2012

Update:

Swiftech customer service was a pleasant experiance. They apologized for the condition my new pump came in and are cross shipping a replacement pump today with return shipping paid by them as well! I went ahead and purchased the pump heatsink as well to have them include with the new pump.

Cheezit73 · Mar 25, 2012

My NZXT replacement parts arrived! no more scratches thanks to Retell!

So I have been waiting for my days off to get started and am almost there! My replacement MCP35x is due to arrive Monday so my plan is to have everything ready to go to start leak testing by the time it gets here. I started the first little bit of test fitting today and played around with the radiator and mounted it with the Yate Loon high speeds and Sentry mix controller to give em a whirl. Was pleasantly surprised as they were quieter at full speed than I expected and the fan controller seems to be working well.

Drilled the first holes in the case to mount the EK reservoir!

More to come over the next three days!

saucon · Mar 27, 2012

Good placement of the reservoir, looks very clean! Looking forward to more updates

Cheezit73 · Mar 27, 2012

Finally making some progress!!

1. Taking apart fans for painting!

Yate Loons:

Best I can tell from online research these are the TRUE Yate Loons (ordered from Jab-Tech as direct from OEM.)

Nzxt 140mm:

Painting Fans:

2. MCP35x replacement and heatsink arrived from Swiftech, this one was much nicer! Mounting MCP35x and heatsink to case.

Drilled mounting holes for heatsink:

Mounting heatsink:

Pump Mounted to heatsink:

Added fill port, had to cut out a bit of a notch and then just slid right in:

And last but best of all, All ready to start leak testing!:

Update: Leak test has been in progress for two hours now, so far so good!

Cheezit73 · Mar 27, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by saucon

Good placement of the reservoir, looks very clean! Looking forward to more updates

Thanks saucon, I am very happy about how it is turning out!

02ssei · May 6, 2012

Great build. I like how you retained both drive bays without it looking cluttered. Definitely taking some ideas from yours for my upcoming water build.

[Build Log] "Illuminator" Switch 810 HTPC + First Water Cooling.

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